ENG-1949 — Page 154

risk. In any case, were the service to be extended to all categories it would be beyond the capacity of Hong Kong to handle the vast quantities of mail-especially parcels- which would have to be transhipped at Hong Kong but which in normal circumstances would be forwarded on direct vessels from the administration of origin.

The total number of bags of overseas mail posted or delivered in Hong Kong was 236,417 as against 210,268 in 1948. On the other hand the number of transit bags handled decreased from 164,146 in 1948 to 87,998 in 1949, chiefly as a result of the suspension of the Chinese domestic services between Canton and Shanghai which hitherto had averaged 500 bags per day. 1,705,207 registered and insured letters were dealt with, an increase of 134,212 over 1948. Correspondence dealt with in the Chinese Branch increased from 8,263,088 to 8,946,269 items. There was an increase in the number of parcels handled from 334,904 to 363,430. Postage stamps and receipt stamps to a total value of $13,087,543 constituted a new record and an increase of $3,379,237 over 1948. A small part of this increase was due to the issue on 10th October of special stamps to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union. Sales of these special stamps amounted to $82,000 on the first day of issue. Money and postal order business continued to increase. The total value of money orders issued and paid amounted to $2,212,452, more than double that of the previous year. The increase in value of postal orders issued and paid was equally spectacular, from $286,077 to $451,034. The Christmas postings were heavier than ever before and necessitated staff working to midnight for several nights to keep it cleared.

LICENSING

The Radio Licensing and Inspection Office issues radio licences for many purposes, attends to the prosecution of unlicensed users of radio apparatus and examines candidates for the different grades of the Postmaster General's Certi- ficates of Proficiency in radiotelegraphy and telephony. As in former years, prosecutions of persons operating illegal radio transmitting stations were carried out, as well as prosecutions for unlicensed broadcast receivers. The sale of Broadcast Receiving Licences continued to increase and there are now over 40,000 of these in force in the Colony. Approximately ninety percent were taken out by Chinese who naturally constitute the bulk of radio listeners. The new Private Business Wireless Licence came into active being during the year and a number of commercial firms have availed themselves of the facilities allowed. This

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